"It's made a huge impact on the young players," U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez said Thursday in Melbourne. "It gives them so much confidence that that they have these great champions in their corner and behind them."

Hampton and McHale have practiced with the sisters, shared laughs over dinner and now exchange pleasantries at tournaments.

Stephens? She and Serena are buddies.

"I love her, she's amazing, she's a god, but now she's like my friend," said 29th-seeded Stephens, who joined Hampton in the third round Thursday with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of former junior rival Kristina Mladenovic of France.

Among American men, the experience gap has been more easily bridged.

Veterans such as the now-retired Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish have gone out of their way to mentor prospects such as Sam Querrey, Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock, making it one of the most congenial groups in memory.

News, notes and highlights from Day 4 of the Australian Open, featuring Serena Williams, Roger Federer and more!

Guidance from the top has been harder to come by on the other side of the aisle.

The main platform for newfound interaction has been the Fed Cup and Olympic team competitions.

Neither Venus or Serena has been a Fed Cup loyalist, but to meet the requirements for London, both sisters — who owned a combined 22 Grand Slam singles crowns — competed in ties last year. So did Stephens, McHale and Hampton.

McHale, who also joined the sisters on the U.S. Olympic team in London, said they hit, traded stories over team meals and even visited the Olympic Village together.

"I didn't know them before but ever since I've been on the team with them they've been very nice," McHale said.

The sisters also are visible because they are healthy and playing.

After being diagnosed with the energy-sapping autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome, Venus played four events in 2011.

Last year she entered 10, and climbed from outside the top 100 to her current No. 26 ranking.

Serena missed 11 months in 2010-11 with a series of ailments and accidents, including blood clots in her lungs and a hematoma in her stomach.

"I feel like I know them pretty well," No. 3 seed Serena said Thursday after cruising past second-round opponent Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-0 and showing few ill effects from the right ankle she turned in her opening match. "I'm really happy that the American ladies are really stepping up and doing pretty good."

Venus said she is conscious of being a role model.

"I try to be on my best behavior when the young ones are around," said the seven-time major winner, who faces No. 2 Maria Sharapova in a highly anticipated third-round clash Friday night.

"They've become more outgoing with the other players in general," said Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who at 27 is more peer than kid sister.

With five Yankee women in the last 32 in Melbourne for the first time since 2005 — including 17-year-old Madison Keys, who plays No. 5 Angelique Kerber of Germany on Friday — rubbing elbows with the Williamses can't hurt.

"Sloane, Jamie and Christina have been able to absorb not only what they see in their work ethic and how they play on the court but also ask them questions," said Fernandez, who also comments for ESPN. "It's been so nice to have them engage."

Not that most conversations revolve around tennis.

Stephens, who like Hampton, Keys and until recently, McHale, trains at one of the USTA regional centers in New York, California or Florida, mostly chats with her BFF Serena about perfume, jewelry and hair — "silly things," she said.

But as any mortal looking up at gods on mountaintops will tell you, it's nice to have friends in high places.

"I never thought last year that it would be what it is now," Stephens said of her friendship with Serena, "but I'm happy that it is."

It was way hot on Day 4, and this is how Andreas Seppi of Italy cooled off after defeating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. Temperatures reached 106 degrees at Melbourne Park.
Fiona Hamilton, AP

After a singles win Serena Williams, left, returned to the court to win a doubles match with sister Venus. They defeated Camila Giorgi of Italy and Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 6-3, 6-1.
Aaron Favila, AP

Bernard Tomic of Australia thrilled the home crowd with a come-from-behind 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-8) win against Daniel Brands of Germany. Next up for Tomic is Roger Federer.
William West, AFP/Getty Images

Sam Querrey talks with Brian Baker after Baker was forced to retire from their match because of a knee injury. Baker tore his lateral meniscus and has a locked knee. He'll need surgery and about four months to recover.
Chris Hyde, Getty Images